Who we are

Spence & Spence has been providing independent financial advice to our clients in Scotland for over 20 years. We are committed to ensuring that we provide you with impartial advice to help you to make the right decisions, and ultimately to reach your long term financial objectives. We are authorised to advise on the entire range of financial products and the advice you will receive will always be delivered to you in an unbiased,  jargon free and easy to understand format. Our wealth of knowledge and experience is further enhanced through our long standing trading links and the below Adviser Profiles provide some individual examples of this.

Meet Our Advisers

Alison James

After completing a Neuroscience degree at the University of Edinburgh, Alison started her career in financial services in 2003, working in the mortgages department at Bank of Scotland. Since then, Alison has worked in technical roles at two Edinburgh financial planning firms before joining Spence and Spence as an Independent Financial Adviser in January 2012....

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Cairn Smith

Cairn joined Spence and Spence in October 2013 and is a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. With over 20 years working in the financial services industry, he has considerable experience in all areas of financial planning. Cairn works with clients to help them to achieve their most meaningful financial plans and objectives, ensuring that they receive a...

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James Miller

James became an Independent Financial Adviser in 2006 and has worked in financial services since 1983, building up over 35 years’ of financial services experience working in a number of roles for various life offices before becoming an IFA. He is level 4 qualified and provides clients with a full range of holistic financial planning...

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Jim Stewart

Even at a tender age Jim was asking searching questions – ‘Are you sure that this is the right club?’ for example. Maybe it’s time for you to ask questions of your investments and overall financial position, are my investments matched to my risk profile?, are my investments performing as they should be?, am I receiving value...

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Louis Murray

Louis joined Spence and Spence in April 2022, having worked previously as a Financial Adviser at a wealth management firm in Edinburgh. Louis holds a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is working towards gaining Chartered Status. He is passionate about providing first class advice and service to his clients which Louis believes is best...

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Mike Fryer

Originally from London, Mike has worked in Financial Services since 1989 starting his career with RBS. Mike has lived in Scotland since 1999. Mike is a Chartered Financial Planner and is level 6 Advanced Diploma qualified with 33 years’ experience across a wide range of roles to include IFA, Private Banking and Compliance. In his...

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photo of Alison James

Alison James

Position: Chartered Financial Planner

About me

After completing a Neuroscience degree at the University of Edinburgh, Alison started her career in financial services in 2003, working in the mortgages department at Bank of Scotland. Since then, Alison has worked in technical roles at two Edinburgh financial planning firms before joining Spence and Spence as an Independent Financial Adviser in January 2012.

Alison is both a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, which represent some of the highest qualification levels in financial services. Alison also holds specialist qualifications for occupational pension transfers, equity release and long term care. Additionally, Alison has also recently achieved a STEP Worldwide Excellence Award and now holds the STEP Certificate for Financial Services (Trusts and Estate Planning) with the accolade of being named as one of the highest-scoring students worldwide in 2021.

photo of Cairn Smith

Cairn Smith

Position: Independent Financial Adviser

About me

Cairn joined Spence and Spence in October 2013 and is a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. With over 20 years working in the financial services industry, he has considerable experience in all areas of financial planning. Cairn works with clients to help them to achieve their most meaningful financial plans and objectives, ensuring that they receive a personal and professional service that is tailored to their needs. Cairn strongly believes that in order to ensure that his clients reach their agreed goals, financial advice requires a comprehensive and holistic approach. In his spare time Cairn is a keen golfer.

photo of James Miller

James Miller

Position: Independent Financial Adviser

About me

James became an Independent Financial Adviser in 2006 and has worked in financial services since 1983, building up over 35 years' of financial services experience working in a number of roles for various life offices before becoming an IFA. He is level 4 qualified and provides clients with a full range of holistic financial planning services. Clients range from private individuals and families to small to medium size businesses. In his spare time, James is an avid football and rugby supporter.

photo of Jim Stewart

Jim Stewart

Position: Independent Financial Adviser

About me

Even at a tender age Jim was asking searching questions - 'Are you sure that this is the right club?' for example. Jim Stewart v2 Maybe it's time for you to ask questions of your investments and overall financial position, are my investments matched to my risk profile?, are my investments performing as they should be?, am I receiving value for money on my investments, will my family be sufficiently provided for should something happen to me? These are just some questions that you may wish to consider, and ones that Jim would be more than happy to speak to you about. With forty years' experience in the Financial Services industry, advising and working in both Group Pensions and individual wealth management, he is sure he can come up with a solution that will help you to achieve your financial plans and goals.

photo of Louis Murray

Louis Murray

Position: Independent Financial Adviser

About me

Louis joined Spence and Spence in April 2022, having worked previously as a Financial Adviser at a wealth management firm in Edinburgh. Louis holds a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is working towards gaining Chartered Status. He is passionate about providing first class advice and service to his clients which Louis believes is best achieved by undertaking a comprehensive and holistic approach to a client’s circumstances. Before working in Financial Services, Louis was a professional golfer and in his spare time he still enjoys competing regularly.

photo of Mike Fryer

Mike Fryer

Position: Chartered Financial Planner

About me

Originally from London, Mike has worked in Financial Services since 1989 starting his career with RBS. Mike has lived in Scotland since 1999. Mike is a Chartered Financial Planner and is level 6 Advanced Diploma qualified with 33 years’ experience across a wide range of roles to include IFA, Private Banking and Compliance. In his spare time, Mike enjoys watching TV and going to the cinema.